Foldable electronic device and photographing method using multiple cameras in foldable electronic device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a foldable electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, at least one first camera module disposed on the first housing to face a first direction, at least one second camera module disposed on the second housing to face the first direction, a first display disposed on the first housing to face a second direction opposite to the first direction and the second housing to face the second direction, a sensor module configured to sense a folding state of the foldable electronic device, a memory, and a processor configured to identify, in response to a photographing request, the folding state of the foldable electronic device based on sensing data obtained from the sensor module, sense a folding angle change of the foldable electronic device based on the identified folding state, obtain, based on the folding angle change, multiple images from each of the at least one first camera module and the at least one second camera module, and process and provide the obtained multiple images.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0087670, filed on Jul. 19,2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates generally to an electronic device, and moreparticularly, to a foldable electronic device and a photographing methodusing multiple cameras in the foldable electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

With the development of digital technologies, various types ofelectronic devices, such as a mobile communication terminal, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), an electronic organizer, a smart phone, apersonal computer (PC), and a wearable device, are widely used. Hardwareand software for such electronic devices are continuously developing inorder to support and improve functions of these devices.

For example, a display (or a screen) size of an electronic device hasgradually increased, enabling the electronic device to provide variousservices to a user through a large screen. A shape of the electronicdevice has become more portable and use of a large-screen display hasbeen simplified. A foldable electronic device a foldable device) is anexample of such an electronic device. A foldable device is equipped witha foldable (or bendable) display (e.g. a flexible display) and can beused while being folded or unfolded. Multiple cameras may be mounted onthe front and rear surfaces of the foldable device.

A user can take a picture or capture a moving image by using a portableelectronic device. With the development of photographing functions of anelectronic device, a camera device can perform various types ofphotographing, such as taking a panoramic picture (or capture image) inwhich several pictures are connected. Since the size of an imagecontained in one picture is limited, several static images areseparately captured and then combined with each other so as to generateone image. This photographing technique is referred to as “panoramicimage capturing”.

In order to obtain a panoramic image, a user must sequentially performphotographing while changing the photographing direction of anelectronic device or a camera device) at various angles. Therefore, whenthe user takes a panoramic picture by using an electronic device forproviding a panoramic function, it is difficult for the user to capturean image while changing a photographing angle. Conventionally, it ispossible for a user to take a panoramic picture while moving (orrotating) an electronic device at a constant speed in a horizontal orvertical direction. However, during a movement of an electronic device,since it is not easy to control the upward/downward orleftward/rightward movement of the electronic device, a distortionphenomenon tends to appear in a panoramic picture.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that cures thedistortion and image capturing issues of the conventional electronicdevice.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a method and adevice capable of taking a panoramic picture according to a change in afolding state of a foldable electronic device by using at least twocameras mounted on the rear surfaces of the foldable electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a foldable electronicdevice includes a first housing, a second housing, at least one firstcamera module disposed on the first housing to face a first direction,at least one second camera module disposed on the second housing to facethe first direction, a first display disposed on the first housing toface a second direction opposite to the first direction and the secondhousing to face the second direction, a sensor module configured tosense a folding state of the foldable electronic device, a memory, and aprocessor configured to identify, in response to a photographingrequest, the folding state of the foldable electronic device based onsensing data obtained from the sensor module, sense a folding anglechange of the foldable electronic device based on the identified foldingstate, obtain, based on the folding angle change, multiple images fromeach of the at least one first camera module and the at least one secondcamera module, and process and provide the obtained multiple images.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an operation methodof a foldable electronic device including a first housing and a secondhousing foldable with the first housing includes identifying, inresponse to a photographing request, a folding state of the foldableelectronic device based on sensing data obtained from a sensor module ofthe foldable electronic device, sensing a folding angle change of thefoldable electronic device based on the identified folding state,obtaining, based on the folding angle change, multiple images from eachof at least one first camera module arranged on the first housing toface a first direction and at least one second camera module arranged onthe second housing to face the first direction, and processing andproviding the obtained multiple images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a foldable electronic device in a networkenvironment according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A illustrates an unfolded state of a foldable electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B illustrates a folded state of a foldable electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a display device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation method of a foldable electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a first folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a second folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5C illustrates an example of a third folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5D illustrates an example of a fourth folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of generating a panorama image in afoldable electronic device when the electronic device changes from afolded state to an unfolded state, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6B illustrates an example of generating a panorama image in afoldable electronic device when the electronic device changes from anunfolded state to a folded state, according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for taking a panoramic picture in a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a first user interface according to afirst folding angle in a foldable electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of a second user interface of a secondfolding angle in a foldable electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8C illustrates an example of a third user interface according to afourth folding angle in a foldable electronic device according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a panoramic photographing method in a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the presentdisclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit thetechnological features set forth herein to particular embodiments andinclude various changes, equivalents, or replacements for acorresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of thedrawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar orrelated elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a nouncorresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unlessthe relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, eachof such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one ofA or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least oneof A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the itemsenumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As usedherein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may beused to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, anddoes not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance ororder). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a firstelement) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or“communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or“connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means thatthe element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g.,wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented inhardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used withother terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or“circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimumunit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. Forexample, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in aform of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in anetwork environment 100 according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG. 1 , the electronic device 101 in the network environment 100 maycommunicate with an electronic device 102 via a first network 198 (e.g.,a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device104 or a server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., a long-rangewireless communication network). According to an embodiment, theelectronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 viathe server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101may include a processor 120, memory 130, an input device 150, a soundoutput device 155, a display device 160, an audio module 170, a sensormodule 176, an interface 177, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180,a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module190, a subscriber identification module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module197. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device 160 orthe camera module 180) of the components may be omitted from theelectronic device 101, or one or more other components may be added inthe electronic device 101. In some embodiments, some of the componentsmay be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, thesensor module 176 (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or anilluminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in the display device160 (e.g., a display).

The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware orsoftware component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with theprocessor 120, and may perform various data processing or computation.According to an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing orcomputation, the processor 120 may load a command or data received fromanother component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communicationmodule 190) in volatile memory 132, process the command or the datastored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data innon-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g.,a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), asensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that isoperable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor121. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor 123 may beadapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to bespecific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor 123 may beimplemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions orstates related to at least one component (e.g., the display device 160,the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among thecomponents of the electronic device 101, instead of the main processor121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state,or together with the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 isin an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to anembodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an ISP or a CP) may beimplemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module 180 orthe communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliaryprocessor 123.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronicdevice 101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 140) and input data or output data for a command relatedthereto. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or thenon-volatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored in the memory 130 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, oran application 146.

The input device 150 may receive a command or data to be used by othercomponent (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The inputdevice 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, or akeyboard.

The sound output device 155 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 101, The sound output device 155 may include, forexample, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for generalpurposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receivermay be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, thereceiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display device 160 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 mayinclude, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector andcontrol circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the displaydevice 160 may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, orsensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure theintensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtainthe sound via the input device 150, or output the sound via the soundoutput device 155 or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g.,an electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupledwith the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 mayinclude, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmosphericpressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gripsensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, abiometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or anilluminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols to be usedfor the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronicdevice (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) orwirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include,for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universalserial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or anaudio interface.

A connecting terminal 178 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 101 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to anembodiment, the connecting terminal 178 may include, for example, a HDMIconnector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector(e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus whichmay be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 mayinclude, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electricstimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one ormore lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 101. According to one embodiment, the power managementmodule 188 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery may supply power to at least one component of the electronicdevice 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 may include, forexample, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cellwhich is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 101 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) andperforming communication via the established communication channel. Thecommunication module 190 may include one or more CPs that are operableindependently from the processor 120 (e.g., the AP) and supports adirect (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication.According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 may include awireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communicationmodule, a short-range wireless communication module, or a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wiredcommunication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communicationmodule or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding oneof these communication modules may communicate with the externalelectronic device via the first network 198 (e.g., a short-rangecommunication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi)direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network 199(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network,the Internet, or a computer network e.g., LAN or wide area network(WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implementedas a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented asmulti components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. Thewireless communication module 192 may identify and authenticate theelectronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the firstnetwork 198 or the second network 199, using subscriber information(e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in thesubscriber identification module 196.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module197 may include one or more antennas, and, therefrom, at least oneantenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communicationnetwork, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, may beselected, for example, by the communication module 190 (e.g., thewireless communication module 192). The signal or the power may then betransmitted or received between the communication module 190 and theexternal electronic device via the selected at least one antenna.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutuallyand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput and Output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 101 and the external electronicdevice 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Eachof the electronic devices 102 and 104 may be a device of a same type as,or a different type, from the electronic device 101, According to anembodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronicdevice 101 may be executed at one or more of the external electronicdevices 102, 104, or 108, For example, if the electronic device 101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response toa request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101,instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service,may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform atleast part of the function or the service. The one or more externalelectronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least partof the function or the service requested, or an additional function oran additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome ofthe performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of theoutcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, acloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computingtechnology may be used, for example.

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software(e.g., the program 140) including one or more instructions that arestored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device 101).For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 120) of the machine (e.g.,the electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of the one or moreinstructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with orwithout using one or more other components under the control of theprocessor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at leastone function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The oneor more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or acode executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage mediummay be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein,the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is atangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagneticwave), but this term does not differentiate between where data issemi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data istemporarily stored in the storage medium.

A method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may beincluded and provided in a computer program product. The computerprogram product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer.The computer program product may be distributed in the form of amachine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory(CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online viaan application store (e.g., Play Store™), or between two user devices(e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part ofthe computer program product may be temporarily generated or at leasttemporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such asmemory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store,or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or aprogram) of the above-described components may include a single entityor multiple entities, According to various embodiments, one or more ofthe above-described components may be omitted, or one or more othercomponents may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality ofcomponents (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a singlecomponent. In such a case, according to various embodiments, theintegrated component may still perform one or more functions of each ofthe plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they areperformed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components beforethe integration. According to various embodiments, operations performedby the module, the program, or another component may be carried outsequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or moreof the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, orone or more other operations may be added.

FIG. 2A illustrates an open state of an electronic device according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2A, an electronic device 101 may include a firsthousing 210 including a first surface 211 and a third surface 213, and asecond housing 220 including a second surface 221 and a fourth surface223. The first surface 211 of the first housing 210 and the secondsurface 221 of the second housing 220 may indicate a front surface 200of the electronic device 101, and the third surface 213 of the firsthousing 210 and the fourth surface 223 of the second housing 220 mayindicate a rear surface 250 of the electronic device 101.

The first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may be arranged at bothsides of a folding axis (e.g. axis A), and may be generally symmetricwith respect to the folding axis. For example, on the front surface 200of the electronic device 101, the first housing 210 may be disposed atthe left side of the electronic device 101 with respect to the foldingaxis, and the second housing 220 may be disposed at the right side ofthe electronic device 101 with respect to the folding axis. The firsthousing 210 and the second housing 220 may be designed to be folded oneach other. A hinge structure 260 may be disposed between the firsthousing 210 and the second housing 220 such that the front surface 200of the electronic device 101 can be folded.

An angle or distance between the first housing 210 and the secondhousing 220 may be changed according to whether the electronic device101 is in an open state, a closed state, or an intermediate state. Forexample, the open state indicates an opened state, a flat (or even)state, or an unfolding (unfolded) state. The open state may indicatewhen the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 are arranged sideby side, that is, the electronic device 101 is completely unfolded. Theopen state indicates that the angle between the first housing 210 andthe second housing 220 is 180 degrees, and in the open state, the firstsurface 211 of the first housing 210 and the second surface 221 of thesecond housing 220 may be arranged to be oriented in an identicaldirection. FIG. 2A illustrates the front surface 200 of the electronicdevice 101 and the rear surface 250 of the electronic device 101 if theelectronic device 101 is in an open state.

In the closed state, the electronic device 101 may be closed or folded(e.g. FIG. 2B). The closed state may indicate when the first housing 210and the second housing 220 are arranged to face each other, such thatthe electronic device 101 is completely folded. The closed stateindicates that the angle between the first housing 210 and the secondhousing 220 is a narrow angle (e.g. 0-5 degrees), and in the closedstate, the first surface 211 of the first housing 210 and the secondsurface 221 of the second housing 220 may face each other. In thefollowing description, the electronic device 101 implemented in aninward-folding type is described, but the following description can bealso identically or similarly implemented for the electronic device 101implemented in an outward-folding type.

The intermediate state may indicate when the first housing 210 and thesecond housing 220 are arranged to make a particular angle, and in theintermediate state, the electronic device 101 may not be in the openstate or the closed state. The intermediate state indicates when thefirst surface 211 of the first housing 210 and the second surface 221 ofthe second housing 220 make a particular angle (e.g. 6-179 degrees).

The electronic device 101 may include a first display 230 (e.g. a maindisplay) on the first surface 211 and the second surface 221 thatcorrespond to the front surface 200 of the electronic device. The firstdisplay 230 may be disposed over the entirety of the front surface 200and includes a flexible display, at least a partial region of which istransformable into a flat surface or a curved surface. The first display230 may be folded to the left and right with respect to a folding axis(e.g. axis A). The first display 230 may include a first display areacorresponding to the first surface 211 or a second display areacorresponding to the second surface 221. In addition, the electronicdevice 101 may include a first camera 214 on the second surface 221.FIG. 2A illustrates one first camera 214 but a plurality of firstcameras 214 may be arranged. FIG. 2A illustrates the first camera 214disposed on the second surface 221, but the first camera 214 may bedisposed on the first surface 211. The electronic device 101 may furtherinclude a sensor module 176 disposed on the front surface 200.

In addition, the electronic device 101 may include a second display 240on a part of the rear surface 250 of the electronic device. The seconddisplay 240 may be disposed on at least a part of the third surface 213of the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 may include aplurality of cameras on the rear surface 250 of the electronic device.For example, the electronic device 101 may include a second camera 215,a third camera 217, and a fourth camera 219 which are disposed on thefourth surface 223, and a fifth camera 225 disposed on the third surface213, which cameras may have an identical or different performance (e.g.angle of view, resolution).

For example, the angle of view of the second camera 215 may exceed 125degrees (e.g. ultra-wide), the angle of view of the third camera 217 maybe 90-125 degrees (e.g. wide), the fourth camera 219 may have an angleof view of 90 degrees with 2× zoom (e.g. Tele), and the fifth camera 225may have an angle of view of 90 degrees with a normal magnification.When the electronic device 101 is seen in the longitudinal direction, asecond camera 215 may be disposed (mounted) at a height similar to aheight at which the fifth camera 225 is disposed. The electronic device101 may further include a sensor area 241 on the fourth surface 223. Inthe sensor area 241, an infrared sensor, a fingerprint sensor, or anillumination sensor may be disposed similar to the sensor module 176 inFIG. 1 .

When the electronic device 101 is in an open state (e.g. FIG. 2A), thefirst display 230 may be turned on (or activated), and the seconddisplay 240 may be turned off (or deactivated). If a user input (e.g.touch, button selection) is not detected during a predetermined timeinterval (e.g. 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 1 minute) in an ON state of thefirst display 230, the electronic device 101 may turn off the firstdisplay 230. If a user input (e.g. touch, button selection) through thesecond display 240 is detected in an OFF state of the second display240, the electronic device 101 may turn on the second display 240. Ifthe second display 240 is turned on, the first display 230 may be turnedoff. Even though the second display 240 is turned on, the electronicdevice 101 may maintain an ON state of the first display 230 during apredetermined time interval, and then even after the passage of thepredetermined time interval, if a user input is not detected on thefirst display 230, the electronic device may turn off the first display230.

When the electronic device 101 is in an intermediate state,turning-on/off of the first display 230 or the second display 240 may bedetermined according to a folding (or folded) angle. For example, if afolded state is zero degrees and an unfolded state is 180 degrees, whenthe folding angle is less than or equal to 30 degrees, the first display230 may be turned off and the second display 240 may be turned on.Alternatively, when the folding angle is greater than or equal to 31degrees, the first display 230 may be turned on and the second display240 may be turned off.

The folding angle, in which the first display 230 is turned off and thesecond display 240 is turned on, may change depending on userconfiguration or electronic device configuration. For example, when thefolding angle is less than or equal to 50 degrees, the first display 230may be turned off and the second display 240 may be turned on, and whenthe folding angle is greater than or equal to 51 degrees, the firstdisplay 230 may be turned on and the second display 240 may be turnedoff.

FIG. 2B illustrates a closed state of an electronic device according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2B, an electronic device may include a hinge structure260 around a folding axis (e.g. axis A) to allow a folded state (e.g.closed state) of a front surface 200 of the electronic device 101. FIG.2B illustrates a third surface 213 of a first housing 210 and a fourthsurface 223 of a second housing 220 if the electronic device 101 is in aclosed state.

When the electronic device 101 is folded, the first display 230 may beturned off and the second display 240 may be turned on. When the seconddisplay 240 is turned on, and when user input is not detected for apredetermined time, the electronic device 101 may turn off the seconddisplay 240. When the electronic device 101 is folded and the seconddisplay 240 is turned off, the electronic device 101 may turn on thesecond display 240 when a button formed on the electronic device 101 isselected. Alternatively, when the electronic device 101 is folded, whenthe second display 240 is turned off and then user input is detected onthe second display 240, the electronic device 101 may turn on the seconddisplay 240.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram 300 of a display device 160 accordingto various embodiments.

Referring to HG. 3, the display device 160 may include a display 310 anda display driver IC 330 (DDI, display driver IC) configured to controlthe display. The DDI 330 may include an interface module 331, a memory333 (e.g. buffer memory), an image processing module 335, or a mappingmodule 337.

The DDI 330 may receive image information that contains image data or animage control signal corresponding to a command to control the imagedata from another component of the electronic device 101 via theinterface module 331. For example, image information may be receivedfrom a processor 120 (e.g. main processor 121) (e.g. an AP) or anauxiliary processor 123 (e.g. GPU) operated independently from afunction of the main processor 121. The DDI 330 may communicate with atouch circuit 350 or a sensor module 176 through the interface module331. The DDI 330 may store at least a part of the received imageinformation in the memory 333, for example, in the units of frames.

The image processing module 335 may perform pre-processing orpost-processing (e.g. adjustment of resolution, brightness, or size),for example, on at least a part of the image data, at least based on acharacteristic of the image data or a characteristic of the display 310.

The mapping module 337 may generate a voltage value or a current valuecorresponding to the image data for which pre-processing orpost-processing has been performed through the image processing module335. According to an embodiment, generation of a voltage value or acurrent value may be performed, for example, at least partially based onan attribute (e.g. array of pixels (RGB stripe or Pentile structure), orsize of each of subpixels) of pixels of the display 310. At least a partof pixels of the display 310 may be operated, for example, at leastpartially based on the voltage value or the current value to allowvisual information (e.g. text, image, or icon) corresponding to theimage data to be displayed through the display 310.

According to an embodiment, the display device 160 may further includethe touch circuit 350. The touch circuit 350 may include a touch sensor351 and a touch sensor IC 353 configured to control the touch sensor.The touch sensor IC 353 may control the touch sensor 351, for example,to sense a touch input or a hovering input on a particular position ofthe display 310. For example, the touch sensor IC 353 may sense a touchinput or hovering input by measuring a change of a signal (e.g. voltage,quantity of light, resistance, or quantity of electric charge) relatingto a particular position of the display 310. The touch sensor IC 353 mayprovide information (e.g. position, area, pressure, or time) relating tothe sensed touch input or hovering input to the processor 120. Accordingto an embodiment, at least a part (e.g. touch sensor IC 353) of thetouch circuit 350 may be included as a part of the DDI 330 or display310, or a part of another element (e.g. auxiliary processor 123)disposed outside the display device 160.

According to an embodiment, the display device 160 may further includeat least one sensor (e.g. fingerprint sensor, iris sensor, pressuresensor, or illumination sensor) of the sensor module 176 or a controlcircuit for the sensor. In this case, the at least one sensor or controlcircuit therefor may be embedded in a part (e.g. display 310 or DDI 330)of the display device 160 or a part of the touch circuit 350. Forexample, if the sensor module 176 embedded in the display device 160includes a biosensor (e.g. fingerprint sensor), the biosensor may obtainbiological information (e.g. fingerprint image) associated with a touchinput through a partial area of the display 310. For another example, ifthe sensor module 176 embedded in the display device 160 includes apressure sensor, the pressure sensor may obtain pressure informationassociated with a touch input through a partial area or the entire areaof the display 310. According to an embodiment, the touch sensor 351 orthe sensor module 176 may be disposed between pixels of a pixel layer ofthe display 310, on the pixel layer, or under the pixel layer.

A foldable electronic device (e.g. the electronic device 101 in FIG. 1 )according to various embodiments includes: a first housing (e.g. thefirst housing 210 in FIGS. 2A and 2B); a second housing (e.g. the secondhousing 220 in FIGS. 2A and 2B); at least one first camera module (e.g.the fifth camera 225 in FIGS. 2A and 2B) disposed on the first housingto face a first direction; at least one second camera module (e.g. thesecond camera. 215, the third camera 217, or the fourth camera 219 inFIGS. 2A and 2B) disposed on the second housing to face the firstdirection; a first display (e.g. the first display 230 in FIGS. 2A and2B) disposed on the first housing to face a second direction opposite tothe first direction and the second housing to face the second direction,a sensor module (e.g. the sensor module 176 in FIG. 1 ) configured tosense a folding state of the foldable electronic device; a memory (e.g.the memory 130 in FIG. 1 ); and a processor (e.g. the processor 120 inFIG. 1 ), wherein the processor may be configured to identify, inresponse to a photographing request, the folding state of the foldableelectronic device based on sensing data obtained from the sensor module,sense a folding angle change of the identified foldable electronicdevice, obtain, based on the folding angle change, multiple images fromeach of the at least one first camera module and the at least one secondcamera module, and process and provide the obtained multiple images.

The processor may be configured to obtain a first image from the atleast one first camera module and a second image from the at least onesecond camera module when the foldable electronic device changes to afirst folding angle, and obtain a third image from the at least onefirst camera module and a fourth image from the at least one secondcamera module when the foldable electronic device changes to a secondfolding angle.

The processor may be configured to generate a panoramic image by usingat least one among the first image, the second image, the third image,or the fourth image.

The foldable electronic device further includes: a second display (e.g.the second display 240 in FIGS. 2A and 2B) disposed on the first housingto face the first direction, wherein the processor may be configured todisplay the processed images on the first display or the second display.

The processor may be configured to display the processed images throughthe first display when the foldable electronic device is unfolded, anddisplay the processed images through the second display when thefoldable electronic device is folded.

The processor may be configured to determine whether the folding anglechange of the foldable electronic device is completed or whetherpanoramic image generation is possible, and generate, based on a resultof the determination, a panoramic image using the obtained multipleimages.

The processor may be configured such that panoramic image capturingstarts in response to the folding angle change.

The at least one second camera module includes at least one among asecond camera module (e.g. the second camera 215 in FIGS. 2A and 2B), athird camera module (the third camera 217 in FIGS. 2A and 2B), or afourth camera module (e.g. the fourth camera 219 in FIGS. 2A and 2B).The processor may be configured to select the second camera module fromamong the at least one second camera module based on the at least onefirst camera module, and obtain multiple images from the at least onefirst camera module and the selected second camera module.

The processor may be configured to obtain multiple images from at leastone among the at least one first camera module, the second cameramodule, the third camera module, or the fourth camera module.

The processor may be configured to identically configure a cameraattribute of the at least one first camera module and a camera attributeof the at least one second camera module, and obtain multiple imagesfrom the at least one first camera module and the at least one secondcamera module.

The processor may be configured to generate a panoramic image byremoving an overlapping region from the obtained multiple images.

The processor may be configured to receive an editing request from auser, and edit the processed images based on the editing request.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 illustrating an operation method of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in step 401, a processor of the foldableelectronic device may receive a photographing request. Through a firstdisplay or a second display, the processor 120 may display a previewimage obtained from at least one of multiple cameras as a cameraapplication is executed. For example, the processor 120 may display apreview image through the first display 230 when the electronic device101 is unfolded, and may display a preview image through the seconddisplay 240 when the electronic device 101 is folded. The processor 120may provide a photographing button on the displayed preview image, andmay detect an input through which a user selects the photographingbutton. The photographing request may be that the photographing buttonis selected (or touched) by the user.

The processor 120 may receive a selection of the photographing buttonfrom the user after a photographing mode is configured to be a“panorama” mode by the user. The photographing mode is associated withcamera photographing, and may include at least one among, for example, anormal mode (or auto mode), a moving image mode, a selfie mode, a rearselfie mode, a live focus mode, a slow motion mode, a pro-mode, or apanorama mode. Hereinafter, a description will be made of an operationperformed after pressing the photographing button when the photographingmode is configured to be a “panorama” mode.

In step 403, the processor 120 may identify a folding state of theelectronic device 101. The folding state may be determined based on thedistance (or the angle) between the first housing 210 and the secondhousing 220 of the electronic device 101. The processor 120 maydetermine whether the first surface 211 and the second surface 221approach each other by using a sensor module, and may determine thefolding state of the electronic device 101 based on the determination.The sensor module 176 may include at least one among a proximity sensor,an infrared (IR) sensor, a hall sensor, a motion sensor, an anglesensor, and an illumination sensor. The motion sensor may be a gyrosensor or an acceleration sensor, may sense direction information of theelectronic device 101, and may transmit the sensed direction informationto the processor 120.

When the electronic device 101 is folded, the motion sensor may sense adirection of the first surface 211 and a direction of the second surface221, and may transmit, to the processor 120, information regarding thesensed direction of the first surface 211 and the sensed direction ofthe second surface 221.

The angle sensor may be disposed in the hinge structure 260 so as todirectly sense the angle between the first housing 210 and the secondhousing 220. Alternatively, the angle sensor may be a gyro sensor or anacceleration sensor. The processor 120 may identify a folding state ofthe electronic device 101 in response to the photographing request andthen may sense a change in the identified folding state, which may beone of an unfolded state or a folded state.

In step 405, the processor 120 may sense a folding angle change of theelectronic device 101. For example, when the folding state is anunfolded state (e.g. 180 degrees) in step 403, the processor 120 maysense whether a folding angle is changed to less than 180 degrees.Alternatively, when the folding state is a folded state (e.g. 0 degrees)in step 403, the processor 120 may sense whether a folding angle ischanged to greater than 0 degrees. For example, the processor 120 maycalculate an angle formed by the first housing 210 and the secondhousing 220 based on sensing data received from the sensor module 176.The angle sensor included in the sensor module 176 may be disposed inthe hinge structure 260 of the electronic device 101 so as to calculatean angle formed by the first housing 210 and the second housing 20, andmay transmit a calculated angle value to the processor 120.Alternatively, the angle sensor may be a geomagnetic sensor, a gyrosensor, or an acceleration sensor embedded in each of the first housing210 and/or the second housing 220. A sensor and a method for sensing theangle between the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 may bechanged into various forms. The processor 120 may start to take apanoramic picture (or capture a panoramic image) when a folding anglechange is sensed.

In step 407, the processor 120 may obtain multiple images based on thefolding angle change. In order to obtain a panoramic image, it may benecessary to sequentially perform photographing while changing thephotographing direction of the electronic device 101 with variousangles. The panoramic image has an angle of view (e.g. greater than orequal to 90 degrees) wider than the angle of view (e.g. 50 degrees) of anormal image, and thus multiple images captured at various angles may becombined (or processed) with each other so as to be synthesized as oneimage. Therefore, the processor 120 may obtained an image whenever thefolding angle of the electronic device 101 is changed. For example, theprocessor 120 may obtain an image whenever the folding angle of theelectronic device 101 is changed to predetermined angles (e.g. 10degrees, 30 degrees, etc.). If an angle in a folded state is 0 degreesand is changed to an angle in an unfolded state of 180 degrees, theprocessor 120 may obtain at least one image because images are obtainedwhenever the folding angle of the electronic device 101 is changed. Thepredetermined angles, at which images are obtained, may be configured asa default by the electronic device 101 or a user.

The processor 120 may obtain, based on the folding angle change, animage from the fifth camera 225 in the third surface 213 of the firsthousing 210. Based on the folding angle change, the processor 120 maysimultaneously or sequentially obtain images from at least one among thesecond camera 215, the third camera 217, and the fourth camera 219,which are included in the fourth surface 223 of the second housing 220.For example, the processor 120 may obtain an image from the secondcamera 215 disposed in a horizontal direction identical to or similar tothat of the fifth camera 225.

Alternatively, the processor 120 may obtain an image from at least oneamong the second camera 215, the third camera 217, and the fourth camera219, having camera attributes (e.g. angle of view, resolution, aperture,ISO) identical to or similar to those of the fifth camera 225.Alternatively, the processor 120 may obtain an image from each of thesecond camera 215, the third camera 217, or the fourth camera 219. Acamera, from which an image can be obtained, among three camerasincluded in the fourth surface 223 may be configured by a user selectionor as a default in the electronic device 101. The processor 120 mayobtain images from the fifth camera 225 and the second camera 215 basedon the folding angle change.

The processor 120 may obtain, based on the folding angle change, animage from the first camera 214 disposed on the first surface 211 of thefirst housing 210. When the angle of view of a panoramic image is 360degrees, the processor 120 may obtain an image from the first camera214. The second camera 215 to the fifth camera 225 may be arranged onthe rear surfaces of the electronic device 101, and the first camera 214may be disposed on the front surface of the electronic device 101.

When a panoramic image is generated using images obtained from the firstcamera 214 to the fifth camera 225, the panoramic image may be generatedto have a wider angle of view than when a panoramic image is generatedusing only images obtained from the second camera 215 to the fifthcamera 225 arranged on the rear surfaces of the electronic device 101.Thus, the processor 120 may activate the first camera 214 according to afolding angle change of the electronic device 101 and may use an imageobtained by the first camera 214 to generate a panoramic image. Forexample, when the folding angle is greater than or equal to 120 degrees,the processor 120 may activate the first camera 214 and may use an imageobtained by the first camera 214 to generate a panoramic image.Generating a panoramic image by using an image obtained from the firstcamera 214 may differ depending on a user selection or configuration ofthe electronic device 101.

The processor 120 may provide, to a user, guidance such that the usercan perform panoramic photographing while changing a folding angle ofthe electronic device 101. The guidance may include at least one among avoice, a text, an image, or a moving image. The processor 120 may outputa guidance voice relating to the photographing via a speaker 155.Alternatively, the processor 120 may display a guidance message throughthe first display 230 or the second display 240. The guidance messagemay include at least one among a text, an image, or a moving image.

In step 409, the processor 120 may process the multiple images togenerate one image. The processor 120 may obtain an image until thefolding angle change of the electronic device 101 is completed or/anduntil panoramic image generation is possible (or completed). Forexample, when photographing starts while the electronic device 101 isunfolded, the processor 120 may obtain an image until the electronicdevice 101 is folded. Alternatively, when photographing starts while theelectronic device 101 is folded, the processor 120 may obtain an imageuntil the electronic device 101 is unfolded. The processor 120 may alsodetermine whether the folding angle has been changed to a predeterminedfolding angle (e.g. less than or equal to 30 degrees, or greater than orequal to 150 degrees).

Alternatively, the processor 120 may obtain images until an imagenecessary for generating a panoramic image is obtained. The imagenecessary for generating the panoramic image may be configured as adefault in the electronic device 101. When a panoramic image can begenerated using obtained multiple images, the processor 120 may stitchthe obtained multiple images together to generate the panoramic image.When panoramic image generation is possible, even when the folding anglechange of electronic device 101 is not completed, the processor 120 maystop image obtaining according to the folding angle and generate apanoramic image. The processor 120 may perform a hand-shake compensationfor the obtained multiple images to generate a panoramic image.

Some regions may overlap each other when images are obtained accordingto a change of the angle (or folding angle) between the first housing210 and the second housing 220. The processor 120 may remove (or delete)the overlapping regions of the images so as to generate a panoramicimage. The processor 120 may determine a reference point based on theobtained multiple images, and may arrange the multiple images based onthe reference point. Some of the arranged images may overlap each other.The processor 120 may remove the overlapping images so as to generate apanoramic image. A method for processing multiple images to generate apanoramic image is conventional, and thus a detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

In step 411, the processor 120 may provide the generated image. Theprocessor 120 may display the generated panoramic image through thefirst display 230 or the second display 240. The processor 120 maydisplay the generated image through the first display 230 when theelectronic device 101 has changed from a folded state to an unfoldedstate, and may display the generated image through the second display240 when the electronic device 101 has changed from an unfolded state toa folded state. The processor 120 may store the displayed image in amemory.

The processor 120 may receive an editing request for editing thedisplayed image from the user, and may edit the displayed image based onuser input. The user may edit the image by using an editing functionprovided in a camera application, or by executing a separate application(e.g. an image editing application). The processor 120 may store theedited image in the memory 130 in response to editing completion. Theprocessor 120 may store both the image before editing and the editedimage according to user configuration or configuration of the electronicdevice 101.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a first folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the first folding angle 510 may be an angle whenan electronic device is in a folded state. The folded state may be whena first housing and a second housing are arranged to face each other. Inthe folded state, the angle between the first housing 210 and the secondhousing 220 is formed as a narrow angle (e.g. 0 to 5 degrees), and thefirst surface 211 of the first housing 210 may face the second surface221 of the second housing 220. For example, the first folding angle 510is an angle formed between the first surface 211 and the second surface221 and may be 0 degrees to 5 degrees. Although the narrow angle in thefolded state has been described as 0 degrees to 5 degrees, the narrowangle in the folded state may be 0 degrees. Alternatively, the narrowangle may be an angle (e.g. 3 degrees) less than 5 degrees. Thedisclosure is not limited thereto, however.

In the first folding angle 510, at least one among the second camera215, the third camera 217, and the fourth camera 219 arranged on thefourth surface 223 of the second housing 220 may perform photographingat a first angle of view 511. A panoramic image may be captured by atleast one among the second camera 215, the third camera 217, and thefourth camera 219. Hereinafter, a description will be made of using thesecond camera 215, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the first folding angle 510, the fifth camera 225 disposed on thethird surface 213 of the first housing 210 may perform photographing ata second angle of view 513. The first angle of view 511 may be equal toor different from the second angle of view 513. When the first angle ofview 511 is different from the second angle of view 513, the processor120 may identically configure the angles of view before photographing isperformed. Alternatively, the processor 120 may identically configure acamera attribute of the second camera 215 and a camera attribute of thefifth camera 225. In the first folding angle 510 or when a change fromthe first folding angle 510 to a second folding 520 is sensed, theprocessor 120 may obtain a first image captured at the first angle ofview 511 from the second camera 215 and a second image captured at thesecond angle of view 513 from the fifth camera 225.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a second folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the second folding angle 520 may be a first angle525 when an electronic device is in an intermediate state. Theintermediate state is when the first housing 210 and the second housing220 are arranged with a predetermined angle therebetween, and theelectronic device 101 may not be in the unfolded state or the foldedstate. The intermediate state may be when the first surface 211 of thefirst housing 210 and the second surface 221 of the second housing 220form a predetermined angle (e.g. 6 degrees to 179 degrees) therebetween.For example, the second folding angle 520 may be 30 or 50 degrees 525.The description of the folding angle is merely made to assist inunderstanding the disclosure, and does not limit the disclosure. In thesecond folding angle 520, the second camera 215 may performphotographing at a third angle of view 521, and the fifth camera 225 mayperform photographing at a fourth angle of view 523. In the secondfolding angle 520 or when a change from the second folding angle 520 toa third folding angle 530 is sensed, the processor 120 may obtain athird image captured at the third angle of view 521 from the secondcamera 215 and a fourth image captured at the fourth angle of view 523from the fifth camera 225.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example of a third folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the third folding angle 530 may be a second angle535 when an electronic device is in an intermediate state. For example,the third folding angle 530 may be 60, 90 or 120 degrees 535. In thethird folding angle 530, the second camera 215 may perform photographingat a fifth angle of view 531, and the fifth camera 225 may performphotographing at a sixth angle of view 533. In the third folding angle530 or when a change from the third folding angle 530 to a fourthfolding angle 540 is sensed, the processor 120 may obtain a fifth imagecaptured at the fifth angle of view 531 from the second camera 215 and asixth image captured at the sixth angle of view 533 from the fifthcamera 225.

FIG. 5D illustrates an example of a fourth folding angle of a foldableelectronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the fourth folding angle 540 may be an angle whenan electronic device is in an unfolded state. For example, the fourthfolding angle 540 may be 180 degrees 545. In the fourth folding angle540, the second camera 215 may perform photographing at a seventh angleof view 541 and the fifth camera 225 may perform photographing at aneighth angle of view 543. In the fourth folding angle 540, the processor120 may obtain a seventh image captured at the seventh angle of view 541from the second camera 215 and an eighth image captured at the eighthangle of view 543 from the fifth camera 225.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of generating a panoramic image by usingimages obtained when an electronic device changes from a folded state toan unfolded state according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a processor of a foldable electronic device maygenerate a panoramic image 620 by using images 611 to 618 obtained asthe electronic device 101 changes from a folded state to an unfoldedstate. For example, the processor 120 may obtain a first image 611 and asecond image 612 in a first folding angle 510. For example, the firstimage 611 is captured by the second camera 215 at the first angle ofview 511 in the first folding angle 510, and the second image 612 iscaptured by the fifth camera. 225 at the second angle of view 513 in thefirst folding angle 510. The processor 120 may obtain a third image 613and a fourth image 614 in a second folding angle 520. For example, thethird image 613 is captured by the second camera. 215 at the third angleof view 521 in the second folding angle 520, and the fourth image 614 iscaptured by the fifth camera 225 at the fourth angle of view 523 in thesecond folding angle 520.

The processor 120 may obtain a fifth image 615 and a sixth image 616 ina third folding angle 530. For example, the fifth image 615 is capturedby the second camera 215 at the fifth angle of view 531 in the thirdfolding angle 530, and the sixth image 616 is captured by the fifthcamera 225 at the sixth angle of view 533 in the third folding angle530. The 120 may obtain a seventh image 617 and an eighth image 618 in afourth folding angle 540. For example, the seventh image 617 is capturedby the second camera 215 at the seventh angle of view 541 in the fourthfolding angle 540, and the eighth image 618 is captured by the fifthcamera 225 at the eighth angle of view 543 in the fourth folding angle540.

The seventh image 617 and the eighth image 618, which have been capturedin the fourth folding angle 540, may have a partial region 619 (or apartial image) in which the seventh image 617 and the eighth image 618overlap each other because two camera angles of view are similar orequal to each other. The processor 120 may generate the panoramic image620 by using the first image 611 to the eighth image 618. The processor120 may determine a reference point “R” based on the obtained multipleimages and may arrange the multiple images based on the reference pointR so as to generate the panoramic image 620 by a stitching technique.The processor 120 may delete the partial region 619 from the seventhimage 617 and eighth image 618 overlapping each other so as to generatethe panoramic image 620. For example, the processor 120 may maintain theseventh image 617 and delete the partial region 619 having referencepoint R from the eighth image 618, thereby generating the panoramicimage 620.

Due to the difference between the angles of view of the second camera215 and the fifth camera 225, the processor 120 may generate thepanoramic image 620 by removing (or deleting) some regions 621 and 623from images 610 captured to be large (or wide). For example, the firstimage 611, the third image 613, the fifth image 615, and the seventhimage 617 obtained from the second camera 215 may have longitudinalpartial regions by which the images obtained from the second camera 215are larger than the second image 612, the fourth image 614, the sixthimage 616, and the eighth image 618 obtained from the fifth camera 225.Among the obtained images 610, the processor 120 may remove longitudinalpartial regions 621 and 623 of images obtained from a camera having awide angle of view such that the images obtained from the camera havinga wide angle of view match an image obtained from a camera having anarrow angle of view.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example of generating a panoramic image by usingimages obtained when an electronic device changes from an unfolded stateto a folded state according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the processor 120 of the foldable electronicdevice 101 may generate a panoramic image 620 by using images 611 to 618obtained when the electronic device 101 changes from an unfolded stateto a folded state. FIG. 6B is similar in configuration to FIG. 6A,differing only in a folding angle change depending on time, and thus adetailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the processor120 may obtain multiple images when the folding angle changes to thefourth folding angle 540, the third folding angle 530, the secondfolding angle 520, and the first folding angle 510 in sequence. Theprocessor 120 may obtain a seventh image 617 and an eighth image 618 inthe fourth folding angle 540, may obtain a fifth image 615 and a sixthimage 616 in the third folding angle 530, may obtain a third image 613and a fourth image 614 in the second folding angle 520, and may obtain afirst image 611 and a second image 612 in the first folding angle 510.The processor 120 may generate the panoramic image 620 by using thefirst image 611 to the eighth image 618. FIGS. 6A and 6B may have thesame generated panoramic images 620, differing only in the folding anglechange.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 illustrating a method for taking a panoramicpicture in a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7 , in step 701, a processor may execute a cameraapplication in a folded state. The processor may receive a request forexecution of the camera application from a user through a seconddisplay. For example, the processor may execute the camera applicationwhen the camera application included in a latest execution list isselected by the user or when an icon corresponding to the cameraapplication included in a home screen is selected by the user.

In step 703, the processor may display a preview image through asub-display. In a folded state, only the second display may be turned onand a first display may be turned off. The processor may display anexecution screen for the camera application on the second display. Theexecution screen for the camera application may includephotographing-related information and a preview image obtained from atleast one among cameras mounted on the rear of the electronic device.The photographing-related information may include at least one amongphotographing configuration information (e.g. a picture size, timer, andflash on/off), photographing-mode information, or photographing-controlinformation (e.g. a photographing button, a latest picture viewingbutton).

In step 705, the processor may receive a selection of a photographingbutton. The processor may detect user input of pressing (touching) aphotographing button displayed on the second display. Alternatively, theprocessor may detect user input of pressing a hardware button (e.g. asound button, a voice call button) preconfigured in the electronicdevice in relation to the photographing button. When the user input asdescribed above is detected, the processor may recognize that aphotographing request has been made (or received). The processor mayreceive a selection of the photographing button from the user after aphotographing mode is configured as a panorama mode by the user. Thephotographing mode is associated with camera photographing, and mayinclude at least one of a normal (or auto) mode, a moving image mode, aselfie mode, a rear selfie mode, a live focus mode, a slow motion mode,a pro-mode, or a panorama mode. Hereinafter, a description will be madeof an operation performed after an operation of pressing thephotographing button when the photographing mode is configured to be apanorama mode.

In step 707, the processor may identically change (or configure)photographing attributes of at least two cameras. During panoramic imagecapturing, the processor may obtain images by using at least two camerasmounted on the rear surfaces of the electronic device. Since at leasttwo cameras are used for panoramic image generation, the processor mayuse, for panoramic image generation, the second camera which is disposedin the horizon direction identical or similar to that of the fifthcamera. Alternatively, the processor may use, for panoramic imagegeneration, a camera having camera attributes identical or similar tothose of the fifth camera.

Alternatively, the processor may also obtain an image from each of thesecond, third, and fourth cameras. A camera, from which an image can beobtained, among three cameras included in the fourth surface may beconfigured by a user selection or may be configured as a default in theelectronic device. The processor may obtain, based on the folding anglechange, images from the fifth camera and the second camera.

The second camera and the fifth camera may have the same or differentcamera attributes. The processor may perform photographing afteridentically changing photographing attributes of the second camera andthe fifth camera. In the case of the different camera attributes, it maybe difficult to correct an image during panoramic image generation.However, even in this case, there is no difficulty in generating apanoramic image. Therefore, step 707 can be omitted.

The processor may apply different image generation (or correction)algorithms based on whether step 707 is performed. When step 707 isperformed, the processor may use a first correction algorithm togenerate a panoramic image. When step 707 is not performed, theprocessor may use a second correction algorithm different from the firstcorrection algorithm to generate a panoramic image.

In step 709, the processor may sense a folding state change by using asensor module. The folding state change may be a change from a foldedstate to an intermediate state. The processor may determine, using asensor module whether the first surface and the second surface approacheach other, and may sense identify), based on the determination, whethera folding state of the electronic device has changed. The sensor modulemay include at least one among a proximity sensor, an infrared (IR)sensor, a hall sensor, a motion sensor, an angle sensor, or anillumination sensor. The motion sensor may be a gyro sensor or anacceleration sensor, may sense direction information of the electronicdevice, and may transmit the sensed direction information to theprocessor. The angle sensor may be disposed in the hinge structure so asto directly sense the angle between the first housing and the secondhousing. Alternatively, the angle sensor may be a gyro sensor or anacceleration sensor.

In step 711, the processor may start to perform photographing inresponse to the folding state change, After a photographing request isreceived from the user, the processor may start to perform photographingwhen the folding state change of the electronic device is sensed. Forexample, when the folding state change is not sensed, the processor doesnot start to perform photographing and may wait until the folding statechange is sensed. For example, the processor may display a preview imageon the second display until the folding state change is sensed. Thefolding state change is different from sensing the movement of theelectronic device, and may be a folding angle change of the electronicdevice. When the folding state change is not sensed for a predeterminedtime (e.g. five or ten seconds) after the photographing request made bythe user, the processor may return to step 703 or may end step 711.Alternatively, when the folding state change is not sensed, theprocessor may wait until the folding state change is sensed. This maychange depending on a user configuration or a configuration of theelectronic device.

In step 713, the processor may obtain multiple images according to afolding angle change. The processor may obtain an image whenever thefolding angle of the electronic device changes to a predetermined angle.If an angle in a folded state is 0 degrees and an angle in an unfoldedstate is 180 degrees, the processor obtains an image whenever thefolding angle of the electronic device changes to any angle in betweenthese degree angles, and thus may obtain at least one image. Thepredetermined angle, at which an image is obtained, may be configured bya user or as a default in the electronic device. The processor mayobtain, based on the folding angle change, an image from each of thefifth camera and the second camera.

The processor may obtain, based on the folding angle change, an imagefrom the first camera disposed on the first surface of the firsthousing. When the angle of view of a panoramic image is 360 degrees, theprocessor may obtain an image from the first camera. The second camerato the fifth camera are arranged on the rear surfaces of the electronicdevice. However, the first camera may be disposed on a front surface ofthe electronic device.

When a panoramic image is generated using images obtained from the firstcamera to fifth camera, the panoramic image may be generated to have awider angle of view than when a panoramic image is generated using onlyimages obtained from cameras arranged on the rear surfaces of theelectronic device. Thus, the processor may activate the first cameraaccording to a folding angle change of the electronic device and may usean image obtained by the first camera to generate a panoramic image. Forexample, when the folding angle is greater than or equal to 120 degrees,the processor may activate the first camera and may use an imageobtained by the first camera to generate a panoramic image. Generating apanoramic image by using an image obtained from the first camera maydiffer depending on a user selection or a configuration of theelectronic device.

The processor may provide guidance that a user can use to performpanoramic photographing while changing a folding angle. The guidance mayinclude at least one among a voice, a text, an image, or a moving image.The processor may provide the guidance by the initial predeterminednumber of times (e.g. ten times) a panoramic image is captured. Theprocessor may output a guidance voice relating to the photographing viaa speaker. Alternatively, the processor may display a guidance messagethrough the second display for a predetermined time (e.g. threeseconds). The guidance message may include at least one among a text, animage, or a moving image. The processor may display and then remove theguidance message based on the folding angle. For example, the processormay display a guidance message in a folded state and may remove theguidance message when the folding angle exceeds 60 degrees. The guidancemessage may be displayed on a partial region of the second display so asnot to disturb panoramic image photographing.

In step 715, the processor may determine whether a changeover to anunfolded state is completed. Since photographing has started in thefolded state, the processor may determine whether the electronic devicehas changed to an unfolded state. Alternatively, the processor may alsodetermine whether the folding angle has changed to a predeterminedfolding angle, such as greater than or equal to 150 degrees. Theprocessor may identify completion of the changeover to the unfoldedstate or completion of the changeover to the predetermined folding angleaccording to a user selection or a configuration of the electronicdevice. The processor may perform step 719 when the changeover to theunfolded state is completed, and may perform step 717 when thechangeover to the unfolded state is not completed.

When the changeover to the unfolded state is not completed, in step 717,the processor may determine whether a panoramic image is completed. Theprocessor may determine whether images necessary to generate a panoramicimage have been obtained. The images necessary to generate the panoramicimage may be configured as a default in the electronic device. Theprocessor may perform step 719 when a panoramic image can be generatedusing the obtained multiple images, but may return to step 713 when apanoramic image cannot be generated using the obtained multiple images.When the changeover to the unfolded state is not completed and apanoramic image cannot be generated using the obtained multiple images,the processor may return to step 713 so as to obtain multiple imagesaccording to a folding angle change.

When the changeover to the unfolded state is completed or when apanoramic image can be generated, in step 719, the processor may processthe obtained images so as to generate a panoramic image. When apanoramic image can be generated, the processor may stop image obtainingaccording to a folding angle and generate the panoramic image even whenthe folding angle change of the electronic device is not completed.

In images obtained according to a change of the angle (or folding angle)between the first housing and the second housing, some regions mayoverlap each other. The processor may remove (or delete) the someoverlapping regions of the images so as to generate a panoramic image.The processor may determine a reference point based on the obtainedmultiple images, and may arrange the multiple images based on thereference point. Some of the arranged images may overlap each other. Theprocessor may remove the overlapping images so as to generate apanoramic image. A method for processing multiple images to generate apanoramic image is conventional, and thus a detailed description thereofmay be omitted.

In step 721, the processor may display the panoramic image through amain display. The processor may display the generated panoramic imagethrough the first display in an unfolded state. The user may identifythe displayed panoramic image and then determine whether to edit thepanoramic image. The processor may provide information related to imageediting (e.g. an editing button).

In step 723, the processor may determine whether an editing request ismade. The processor may detect whether an editing button is selected bythe user. The processor may perform step 725 when the editing request ismade, and may perform step 727 when the editing request is not made.

When the editing request is made, in step 725, the processor may editand store the panoramic image. The processor may edit the displayedimage based on user input. The user may edit the image by using anediting function provided in a camera application, or may edit the imageby executing a separate application (e.g. an image editing application).The user may perform editing, such as deleting or blurring a partialregion of the panoramic image or inserting a sticker (or an emoticon)thereinto. The processor may store the edited panoramic image in amemory in response to editing completion. The processor may store boththe image before editing and the edited image according to userconfiguration or configuration of the electronic device.

When the editing request is not made, the processor may store thedisplayed panoramic image in the memory in step 727.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a first user interface according to afirst folding angle in a foldable electronic device according to anembodiment. Referring to FIG. 8A, a processor may display the first userinterface 810 through a second display 240 in the first folding angle.The first user interface 810 may include a preview image 813 obtainedfrom one among multiple cameras included in the electronic device. Thefirst user interface 810 may further include configuration information811, photographing-mode information 815, and photographing-controlinformation 817.

For example, the configuration information 811 may include at least oneamong various types of information related to a configuration of thefifth camera 225 (e.g. a picture size, a moving image size, a timer,etc.), flash on/off, a screen viewing configuration, or camera switching(e.g. front/rear camera switching). The photographing-mode information815 relates to a photographing mode, and may include at least one of anormal (auto) mode, a moving image mode, a selfie mode, a rear selfiemode, a live focus mode, a slow motion mode, a pro mode, and a panoramamode. The photographing-control information 817 may include at least oneamong a photographing button, a latest picture viewing button, and aprevious picture viewing button. The first user interface 810 may bedisplayed when photographing is performed by the second camera 215disposed on the fourth surface 223 of the first housing 210 when theelectronic device is folded.

While the first user interface 810 is displayed when the electronicdevice is folded, the processor may configure the photographing-modeinformation 815 as a panorama mode and then detect user input forselecting a photographing button. The processor may provide a seconduser interface 820 as illustrated in FIG. 8B in the first folding angle510 or when a change from the first folding angle 510 to the secondfolding angle 520 (or the third folding angle 530) is sensed.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of a second user interface of a secondfolding angle in a foldable electronic device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the processor may display the second userinterface 820 through a first display in the second folding angle. Thesecond user interface 820 may include a first image 821 obtained fromthe second camera 215 and a second image 823 obtained from the fifthcamera 225. Further, the second user interface 820 may further includeconfiguration information 811, photographing-mode information 815, andphotographing-control information 817. In the second folding angle 520,the second camera 215 may perform photographing at a third angle of view521, and the fifth camera 225 may perform photographing at a fourthangle of view 523. In the second folding angle 520 or when a change fromthe second folding angle 520 to a third folding angle 530 is sensed, theprocessor may obtain the first image 821 captured at the third angle ofview 521 from the second camera 215 and the second image 823 captured atthe fourth angle of view 523 from the fifth camera 225.

In FIG. 8B, it is described that the second user interface 820 includesimages obtained in the second folding angle. However, the second userinterface 820 may include images obtained in the third folding angle.

FIG. 8C illustrates an example of a third user interface according to afourth folding angle in a foldable electronic device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the processor may display the third user interface830 through the first display 230 in the fourth folding angle 540. Thethird user interface 830 may include a panoramic image which isgenerated using multiple first images obtained from the second camera215 and multiple second images obtained from the fifth camera 225, Inthe fourth folding angle 540, the second camera 215 may performphotographing at the seventh angle of view 541, and the fifth camera 225may perform photographing at the eighth angle of view 543. The processor120 may generate a panoramic image using images from the second camera215 and the fifth camera 225.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart 900 illustrating a panoramic photographing methodin a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 9 , steps identical to or similar to those of FIG. 7 , differingonly in a folding state, may be performed. Hereinafter, a descriptionwill be briefly made of steps overlapping those of FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 9 , in step 901, a processor may execute a cameraapplication in an unfolded state. The processor may receive a requestfor execution of the camera application from a user through a firstdisplay.

In step 903, the processor may display a preview image through a maindisplay. In the unfolded state, only the first display may be turned onand a second display may be turned off. The processor may display anexecution screen for the camera application on the first display. Theexecution screen for the camera application may includephotographing-related information and a preview image obtained from atleast one among multiple cameras mounted on the rear surfaces of theelectronic device or the front surfaces of the electronic device.

In step 905, the processor may receive a selection of a photographingbutton. The processor may detect user input of pressing (touching) aphotographing button displayed on the first display. Alternatively, theprocessor may detect user input of pressing a hardware button (e.g. asound button, a voice call button) preconfigured in the electronicdevice in relation to the photographing button. When the user input asdescribed above is detected, the processor may recognize that aphotographing request has been made (or received). The processor mayreceive a selection of the photographing button from the user after aphotographing mode is configured as a panorama mode by the user.

In step 907, the processor may identically change (or configure)photographing attributes of at least two cameras. During panoramic imagecapturing, the processor may obtain images by using at least two camerasmounted on the rear surfaces of the electronic device. The processor mayturn on/off a camera activated (or operated) in step 901 based on a userselection, or an angle of view of a panoramic image, which is configuredin the electronic device 101. For example, when the first camera mountedon a front surface of the electronic device has been activated in step901, in step 907, the processor may deactivate (turn of or stop) thefirst camera and activate at least two cameras mounted on the rearsurfaces of the electronic device. Alternatively, when the first cameramounted on a front surface of the electronic device has been activated,the processor may activate at least two cameras mounted on the rearsurfaces of the electronic device without deactivating the first camerain step 907.

In step 909, the processor may sense a folding state change by using asensor module. The folding state change may be a change from an unfoldedstate to an intermediate state. The processor may determine, using asensor module, whether the first surface and the second surface approacheach other, and may sense (or identify), based on the determination,whether a folding state of the electronic device has changed.

In step 911, the processor may start to perform photographing inresponse to the folding state change. After a photographing request isreceived from the user, the processor may start to perform photographingwhen the folding state change of the electronic device is sensed. Forexample, when the folding state change is not sensed, the processor doesnot start to perform photographing and may wait until the folding statechange is sensed. The processor may display a preview image on the firstdisplay until the folding state change is sensed.

In step 913, the processor may obtain multiple images according to afolding angle change. The processor may obtain an image whenever thefolding angle of the electronic device changes to a predetermined angle.The processor may obtain, based on the folding angle change, an imagefrom each of the fifth camera and the second camera.

In step 915, the processor may determine whether a changeover to afolded state is completed. Since photographing has started in theunfolded state, the processor may determine whether the electronicdevice has changed to a folded state. Alternatively, the processor mayalso determine whether the folding angle has changed to a predeterminedfolding angle. The processor may identify completion of the changeoverto the folded state or completion of the changeover to the predeterminedfolding angle according to a user selection or a configuration of theelectronic device. The processor may perform step 919 when thechangeover to the folded state is completed, and may perform step 917when the changeover to the folded state is not completed.

When the changeover to the folded state is not completed, in step 917,the processor may determine whether a panoramic image is completed. Theprocessor may determine whether images necessary to generate a panoramicimage have been obtained. The images necessary to generate the panoramicimage may be configured as a default in the electronic device. Theprocessor may perform step 919 when a panoramic image can be generatedusing the obtained multiple images, but may return to step 913 when apanoramic image cannot be generated using the obtained multiple images.When the changeover to the folded state is not completed and a panoramicimage cannot be generated using the obtained multiple images, theprocessor may return to step 913 so as to obtain multiple imagesaccording to a folding angle change.

When the changeover to the folded state is completed or when a panoramicimage can be generated, in step 919, the processor may process theobtained images so as to generate the panoramic image. When a panoramicimage can be generated, the processor may stop image obtaining accordingto a folding angle and generate the panoramic image even when thefolding angle change of the electronic device is not completed.

In step 921, the processor may display the panoramic image through asub-display. The processor may display the generated panoramic imagethrough the second display in an unfolded state. The user may identifythe displayed panoramic image and then determine whether to edit thepanoramic image. The processor may provide information related to imageediting.

In step 923, the processor may determine whether an editing request ismade by detecting whether an editing button is selected by the user. Theprocessor 120 may perform step 925 when the editing request is made, andmay perform step 927 when the editing request is not made.

When the editing request is made, in step 925, the processor may editand store the panoramic image. The processor may edit the displayedimage based on user input. The user may edit the image by using anediting function provided in a camera application, or may edit the imageby executing a separate application (e.g. an image editing application).The processor may store the edited panoramic image in a memory inresponse to editing completion.

When the editing request is not made, the processor may store thedisplayed panoramic image in the memory in step 927.

According to various embodiments, an operation method of a foldableelectronic device (e.g. the electronic device 101 in FIG. 1 ), includinga first housing (e.g. the first housing 210 in FIGS. 2A and 2B) and asecond housing (e.g. the second housing 220 in FIGS. 2A and 2B) foldablewith the first housing, may include: identifying, in response to aphotographing request, a folding state of the foldable electronic devicebased on sensing data obtained from a sensor module (e.g. the sensormodule 176 in FIG. 1 ) of the foldable electronic device; sensing afolding angle change of the foldable electronic device based on theidentified folding state; obtaining, based on the folding angle change,multiple images from each of at least one first camera module (e.g. thefifth camera 225 in FIGS. 2A and 2B) arranged on the first housing toface a first direction and at least one second camera module (e.g. thesecond camera 215, the third camera 217, or the fourth camera 219 inFIGS. 2A and 2B) arranged on the second housing to face the firstdirection; and processing and providing the obtained multiple images.

Obtaining the multiple images may include obtaining a first image fromthe at least one first camera module and a second image from the atleast one second camera module when the foldable electronic devicechanges to a first folding angle; and obtaining a third image from theat least one first camera module and a fourth image from the at leastone second camera module when the foldable electronic device changes toa second folding angle.

Providing the obtained multiple images may include generating apanoramic image by using at least one among the first image, the secondimage, the third image, or the fourth image.

Providing the obtained multiple images may include displaying theprocessed images on a first display (e.g. the first display 230 in FIGS.2A and 2B) disposed on the first housing to face a second directionopposite to the first direction and the second housing to face thesecond direction, or on a second display (e.g. the second display 240 inFIGS. 2A and 2B) disposed on the first housing to face the firstdirection.

Displaying the processed images may include displaying the processedimages through the first display when the foldable electronic device isunfolded, and displaying the processed images through the second displaywhen the foldable electronic device is folded.

The method may further include controlling the at least one first cameramodule or the at least one second camera module such that panoramicimage capturing starts in response to the folding angle change.

In the electronic device, the at least one second camera module mayinclude at least one among a second camera module (e.g. the secondcamera 215 in FIGS. 2A and 2B), a third camera module (e.g. the thirdcamera 217 in FIGS. 2A and 2B), or a fourth camera module (e.g. thefourth camera 219 in FIGS. 2A and 2B). Obtaining the multiple images mayinclude selecting the second camera module from among the at least onesecond camera module based on the at least one first camera module, andobtaining multiple images from the at least one first camera module andthe second camera module.

Obtaining the multiple images may include identically configuring acamera attribute of the at least one first camera module and a cameraattribute of the at least one second camera module, and obtainingmultiple images from the at least one first camera module and the atleast one second camera module.

At least two cameras mounted on the rear surfaces of a foldableelectronic device can be used to take a panoramic picture according to afolding state change of the foldable electronic device.

A camera structure of a foldable electronic device can be used toefficiently take a panoramic picture for a short time, thereby enhancinguser convenience.

The embodiments disclosed in the specification and the drawings havebeen presented to easily explain technical contents of the disclosureand help comprehension of the disclosure, but do not limit the scope ofthe disclosure. The various embodiments are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosure. Therefore, it must be understood that the scopeof the disclosure includes all modifications or changes based on thetechnical idea of the disclosure, in addition to the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described withreference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure as defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable electronic device comprising: a first housing; a second housing; at least one first camera module disposed on the first housing to face a first direction, and performing photographing at a first angle of view; at least one second camera module disposed on the second housing to face the first direction, and performing photographing at a second angle of view; a first display disposed on the first housing to face a second direction opposite to the first direction and the second housing to face the second direction; a sensor module configured to sense a folding state of the foldable electronic device; a memory; and a processor configured to: identify, in response to a photographing request, the folding state of the foldable electronic device based on sensing data obtained from the sensor module; sense a folding angle change of the foldable electronic device based on the identified folding state; set the first angle of view and the second angle of view to be identical with each other before performing photographing; obtain, based on the folding angle change, multiple images from each of the at least one first camera module and the at least one second camera module; and generate and provide a panoramic image by removing an overlapping region from the obtained multiple images, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine whether the folding angle change of the foldable electronic device is completed or whether panoramic image generation is possible; and stop image obtaining according to the folding angle change of the foldable electronic device and generate the panoramic image using the obtained multiple images, when panoramic image generation is possible, even when the folding angle change of the foldable electronic device is not completed.
 2. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: obtain a first image from the at least one first camera module and a second image from the at least one second camera module when the foldable electronic device changes to a first folding angle; and obtain a third image from the at least one first camera module and a fourth image from the at least one second camera module when the foldable electronic device changes to a second folding angle.
 3. The foldable electronic device of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to generate the panoramic image by using at least one of the first image, the second image, the third image, and the fourth image.
 4. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a second display disposed on the first housing to face the first direction, wherein the processor is further configured to display the panoramic images on the first display or the second display.
 5. The foldable electronic device of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to: display the panoramic images through the first display when the foldable electronic device is unfolded; and display the panoramic images through the second display when the foldable electronic device is folded.
 6. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to start panoramic image capturing in response to the folding angle change.
 7. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one second camera module comprises at least one of a second camera module, a third camera module, and a fourth camera module, and the processor is further configured to: select the second camera module from of the at least one second camera module based on the at least one first camera module; and obtain the multiple images from the at least one first camera module and the selected second camera module.
 8. The foldable electronic device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the multiple images from at least one of the at least one first camera module, the second camera module, the third camera module, and the fourth camera module.
 9. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: identically configure a camera attribute of the at least one first camera module and a camera attribute of the at least one second camera module; and obtain the multiple images from the at least one first camera module and the at least one second camera module.
 10. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive an editing request from a user; and edit the panoramic images based on the editing request.
 11. A method of a foldable electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing foldable with the first housing, the method comprising: identifying, in response to a photographing request, a folding state of the foldable electronic device based on sensing data obtained from a sensor module of the foldable electronic device; sensing a folding angle change of the foldable electronic device based on the identified folding state; setting a first angle of view of at least one first camera module and the second angle of view of at least one second camera module to be identical with each other before performing photographing; obtaining, based on the folding angle change, multiple images from each of the at least one first camera module arranged on the first housing to face a first direction and the at least one second camera module arranged on the second housing to face the first direction; and generating and providing a panoramic image by removing an overlapping region from the obtained multiple images, wherein generating the panoramic image comprises: determining whether the folding angle change of the foldable electronic device is completed or whether panoramic image generation is possible; and stopping image obtaining according to the folding angle change of the foldable electronic device and generating the panoramic image using the obtained multiple images, when panoramic image generation is possible, even when the folding angle change of the foldable electronic device is not completed.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein obtaining the multiple images comprises: obtaining a first image from the at least one first camera module and a second image from the at least one second camera module when the foldable electronic device changes to a first folding angle; and obtaining a third image from the at least one first camera module and a fourth image from the at least one second camera module when the foldable electronic device changes to a second folding angle.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the panoramic image comprises generating the panoramic image by using at least one of the first image, the second image, the third image, and the fourth image.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the panoramic image comprises displaying the panoramic image on a first display disposed on the first housing to face a second direction opposite to the first direction and the second housing to face the second direction, or on a second display disposed on the first housing to face the first direction.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the panoramic image is displayed through the first display when the foldable electronic device is unfolded, and is displayed through the second display when the foldable electronic device is folded.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling the at least one first camera module or the at least one second camera module such that panoramic image capturing starts in response to the folding angle change.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one second camera module comprises at least one of a second camera module, a third camera module, and a fourth camera module, and wherein obtaining the multiple images comprises: selecting the second camera module from the at least one second camera module based on the at least one first camera module; and obtaining the multiple images from the at least one first camera module and the selected second camera module.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein obtaining the multiple images comprises: identically configuring a camera attribute of the at least one first camera module and a camera attribute of the at least one second camera module; and obtaining the multiple images from the at least one first camera module and the at least one second camera module. 